Good News from Hempstead High Spring 2016

The

The two students graduating at the top of Hempstead High School’s Class of 2016 have big plans ahead—and a few things in common too. Both are headed to top-notch, Ivy League schools next year. Both seek ca-reers in science; and both credit their chemistry teacher, Dr. Em-manuel Ogogo, for pushing and inspiring them.

Steven Nino, Valedictorian

Valedictorian Steven Nino was accepted to Princeton Uni-versity’s College of Engineering & Applied Sci-ences, where he plans to study chemical engineering or computer science, although he is leaning toward the latter.

“I think computer science is the field that has the most flexibility,” he said. “It’s definitely the most rapidly expanding field, and really it’s what has been the big-gest change in terms of human productivity in the past 30-plus years.” This summer, he will take part in an internship working for a robotics company, where he will learn computer programming from his brother, who recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.

Steven credits Dr. Ogogo as being a big role mod-el for him. “A lot of kids look up to him because

Top Grads Head to the Ivy League

Tiger’s Stripes

Valedictorian Steven Nino heads to Princeton University this fall.

he’s a very successful person, and he only got there because he pushed himself hard,” he said. “He pushes kids hard; I think that’s what a lot of kids need.”

Livingstone CollegeCulinary Institute of AmericaSUNY Old WestburyNew England CollegeSUNY CantonMercy CollegeWestern CT State UniversitySUNY DelhiUniversity of HartfordSUNY AlbanySUNY University at BuffaloLIU BrooklynUniversity of BridgeportVaughn CollegeNY Institute of TechnologyJohnson & Wales UniversityCUNY Queens CollegeCUNY Lehman CollegeCUNY Brooklyn CollegeCUNY City CollegeCUNY John Jay CollegeCUNY Hunter CollegeSUNY FarmingdaleBerkeley CollegeHofstra University Kean UniversityTemple UniversityCurry CollegeThe New School ELC of LA

Penn State UniversityCUNY Medgar EversNYC College of TechnologyCUNY York CollegeE. Stroudsburg University Mount Ida CollegeMedaille CollegeLeMoyne CollegeAdelphi UniversitySUNY New PaltzLIU PostSt. Joseph’s CollegeCUNY Baruch CollegePrinceton UniversityCornell UniversityUniversity of PennyslvaniaDartmouth CollegeWilliams CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityNew York UniversityCity College Macaulay Honors SUNY Stony BrookSUNY BinghamtonRider UniversityMolloy CollegeEssex County CollegeCUNY College of Staten IslandDrexel UniversityFull Sail University

2016 College AcceptancesClass of 2016 students have been accepted to the following colleges and universities, and the list continues to grow:

Dr. Emmanuel Ogogo was an important role model for this

year’s top graduates.

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Once again I am excited to share with you our progress here at Hempstead High School. Our students continue to show academic growth by passing their classes. Approximately 650 students made the honor roll in the third quarter—some for the very first time, and some making it in all three quarters. We are proud of all our students who work hard to reach their academic goals every day.

Because we are a State Receivership school, we need to show growth in areas such as school safe-ty, student pass rate, curriculum development, and Standards alignment. I am very pleased to say we are making progress in all of those areas. Teachers are working closely with families and students to make them aware of their children’s progress and how they can continue to improve.

Our Regents exams are coming up soon. These exams measure students’ progress in most of the academic core classes, and provide students the oppor-tunity to meet high school graduation requirements. These exams will be given the last two weeks of the school year, beginning June 14. Please keep an eye out for additional information to be sent home.

We are also excited to be improving students’ access to educational technology. During winter break we upgraded the computers in the school library to better support student research, class projects, and day-to-day needs. Teachers are re-ceiving new laptops and training in technology, and we are expanding classroom resources to include document readers. The math department has also received almost 600 new TI-84 graphing calculators for student use.

On May 24-25, representatives from the New York State Department of Edu-cation will conduct a review of the school to evaluate how our curriculum and instructional program is improving. Thank you in advance for your input and support preparing for this important visit. If you would like more information

on how you can support us, please contact the school.

Thank you again for the opportunity to share our good news with you. We hope you enjoy this issue of our news-letter, The Tiger’s Stripes.

Principal’s Message

Dr. Stephen Strachan, Principal

Hempstead High School(516) 434-4200

Dr. Stephen Strachan, Principal

Rachel Blount, Assistant Principal Olga Young, Assistant PrincipalCarey Gray, Assistant Principal

Betsy Benedith, Dean of Students O’Neil Glenn, Dean of Students

Reina Jovin, School Implementation Manager

Hempstead Union Free School District

Susan Johnson Superintendent of Schools

Board of EducationLaMont E. Johnson, PresidentMaribel Touré, Vice PresidentGwendolyn Jackson, Trustee

JoAnn Simmons, TrusteeDavid Gates, Trustee

Check Us Out Onlinehempsteadschools.org/HHS

About this NewsletterThe Tiger’s Stripes is the new principal’s newsletter, brought to you by the administration of

Hempstead High School.

Masthead graphic by Vector Portal. Stripes graphic by GDJ,

licensed for reuse by Openclipart.

Dressed for SuccessStudents are taking to the new dress code, launched this year

as a way to keep all focus on academics and to encourage the growing sense of unity at

Hempstead High School.

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Principal’s Honor RollGrade 9Cruz, Jackelyn AEkong, Daraeno OtobongGordon, Ateisha RJones, Mikasia EMenjivar Membreno, AracelyRamirez Melendez, Melissa GWhite, Nayshawn S

Grade 10Aguilar Guerrero, Nelson EChevez, StephanieFiallos, Mariela SuyapaGarcia, Ileanna VGonzalez-Reyes, Emely GabrielaGuerra Lopez, Jose JulianGuerra, Pacika Ruby JoyceMorales, MarielyPadilla, Emily AllisonReyes Luna, Bairon SReyes Romero, Richard ERivera Rodriguez, Lourdes EstelaSantos, Yerderson FerminSosa Rodriguez, Lisbeth Abigail

Grade 11Avery, Shanikique Simone HopeBlount, Simone CapriceDos Santos, Narciso AndreGarcia Colindres, Jorge LuisGonzalez, RaquelmiMolina, Brenda MariluMontes, Gilberto De JesusNelson, Travis DavidNosike, Francis XavierPerry, Shayna ElizabethSegarra, Paula D Taveras, FrenyeryVentura, Maura Jasmin

Grade 12Alvarez-Beza, Joselyn MariaAvril, EdensCorrea, Pablo JoseNino, Steven OliverParimalam, Sabita

High HonorsGrade 9Acosta, Katherine MarinaAdewunmi, EstherAlvarado, LuisAmaya Morales, Anyi EsperanzaBonilla, JulissaBoyd, Jaylin ABrantley, Alexis SimoneCalle, Elijah NorbertoCastellon, Karla JasminCastillo, JulianaCastro Navarrete, Erlinda MariaCastro, Jason JavierContreras Garcia, Edwin VinicioContreras Giron, Edgar JCyrus, Lisa ChristinaDeras, Katherine GDiaz Yaguas, Noe MoisesFrias Rodriguez, Keyssy MariaGibson, Eddie Nasir-DevonLobo, Melany AbigailMolina, Otniel StevenNavarro, Ashley AndreaOrtiz Dilone, Albert JoseParada Orellana, Fernando de JesusReyes, Iliana MariaRivera, Jhoana EstefaniZuniga Padilla, Elvin Jose

Grade 10Aguilar, Abigail EAlfaro Lopez, Debbie LAlfaro Trejo, Erika MilenaAlfaro, Krissia ElizabethAlvarez-Beza, Henrry LeonelArias, Dania EstefanyAvril, Jean Shamar SrolderAyala, Jesus EduardoBardales Garcia, JasminBernal, Kathya LuciaBonilla Leiva, Melvin JassielConteh, Angella KContreras Robles, Isamary LissethCordova, Kendy YasminCruz, Rehaana RochelleDiscua, Maria LissetteDuclair, Jefferson Hals

Honor Roll: Quarter 3 Eason, Cashawna CEason, Shawn TEstrada Henriquez, StephanieFlores, Jennifer EGarcia Cabrera, Noelia IsamarGarcia, Anthony JGuevarra, Jane MonroeGutierrez, Jason EliHashmi, Yamina AHercules, Jonathan EnriqueIrowa, Osatohanmwen Osem-wonyenmweJimenez, Ivan NicolasLafosse, Geraldine PerryLopez, Fatima RocioLopez, Kevin ELuna Lopez, KrisiaMendoza, Emmalee NMillien, Latonya FaithMiranda, Jordan DanielMolina Alonzo, Brian FranciscoMolina, Julissa DMonroy, Dinora CecillaMoran, Blanca AzucenaMurillo, Yunior OPalma Gomez, FrankPerez Paniagua, Roxana CarolinaPineda, Fatima ConcepcionRivera Rivera, Claudia MelisaRodriguez, Ormandy De JesusRodriquez, Idelsa BeatrizSaintilus, Tatiana ESalce, HillarySamuels, Selassie NanashanSandoval Guerra, Brian ASandoval-Colindres, NohemySpleen, Amari EmanuelTaylor, MyasiaVasquez, Bethsayda SWedderburn, Melonie NicoleWells, David ChristianWilson, Kyasia HonesteeZavala Canales, Roxana Yaneth

Grade 11Aguilar Acosta, Olman AlexanderBaccas, MoeshaBlagrove, Alicia CamilleBonilla Bermudez, Darling AbigailCastro Gonzalez, Arami AChavez-Martinez, Jamie ElizabethClaudio, Wilber Jr.Coleman, Theresa YasmeenCordova Garcia, Vinda DamariCoreas, Sandra CCruz, Nathaniel ADonazar, Matias AlejandroEkong, Mokutima ItoroEscobar, KatherineFair, Tiana NormyaGuillen Paredes, Melissa YasminHernandez, Marina ClaudethHerrera, Saul FernandoJeremiah, Nasir Francis

Jurado, Vicky AshleyKing, Jasayah DavidLivingston, Jamont AnthonyLlican Roman, Alejandra MelinaLopez, Stephanie JMachado, JacquelineMancia, Oscar AMontenegro, Helin ElihanyMorejon, Gricelda ArelyOsorio, MilagrosPineda Cruz, Ever AntonioRamdass, Joshua AntonioRodriguez, Esly JohannyRomero, Gabriela ElizabethSandoval, BryanValencia Gomez, Nathaly MargaritaWoods, Jayden RayZavala, Herber Leonel

Grade 12Alston, Rodney ErnestAcosta, Lucy DApplewhaite, Nichola KeannaArroyo Guevara, Suleyma AracelyBenitez, JoselynBonilla Mejia, Liseth YaquelinCarpio, Karla VCartagena Valle, Dania LizethCarter, Giyahni LChicas, Kayla CarolinaClaudio Lara, Lidia RDuncan, Aaron TerrillGrier, Tiara JoyceHenao, Kimberly DanielleIshaq, NafeesaJones, Dashawn DKenner, Kiondre Malik RobertLopez, Josselyn JeannetteMartinez Benitez, Anthony RMatute Martinez, Anderlin YojanaMejia, Lisbeth AlexandraMorris, Jasmine NicoleNunez Euceda, Angie DamarOrtez, Wilber OPatterson, YashuaPierre-Louis, Yardley MarvinPryce, Tevin AnthonyRamos, Carlos AlbertoReveil, Rose-MerlineReyes Amaya, Laura ClaribelRodriguez Ventura, Kimberly ElizabethRojas, Rene AlejandroSanchez, Madeline RacquelSandi, Lavender SittaTorres Sanchez, Clara GuadalupeValle, Delmy MVazquez, ShawnWood, Jahari CZavala-Villatoro, Jefrey Scoth

Briana Harvey, 12th grade, won an iPad for participating in National Breakfast Week, March 7-10.

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Future Business Owners: Virtual Enterprise Program a Big Hit

Walk into Patricia Ortmann’s Virtual Enterprises class and you might see stu-dents running payroll, filling out W2’s, creating sales sheets, or getting their paychecks. The paychecks are not real—instead, they are part of a year-long busi-ness course where students learn how to launch and run their own business.

The students opened the doors to Next Step Fitness, a virtual gym and lifestyle business, in March. “It’s a virtual gym with three gym pack-ages, a corporate HR program for training and development, and a program where they will build and manage a gym for you in your place of business,” Mrs. Ortmann said.

The students oper-ate it like they would a real business by conducting research and development, creating an employee handbook, setting up policies for discipline and rewards, writing a sales program, and building the company’s website: http://nextstep115509.wix.com/nextstepfitness.

“I’ve learned how to work with my classmates, to lis-ten to their opinions and share all of our ideas to make a fantastic business,” said Jessica Ward.

New at Hempstead High School this year, Virtual Enterprises International (veinternational.org) takes place nationwide and has international ties too. Stu-dents can earn high school and college credits through the class, which is offered in partnership with Farm-ingdale State College. This year, 43 schools on Long Island took part, increasing to more than 60 next year. The culminating event was a trade show in New York

City. To prepare for it, students trained each other on sales and how to approach people. They built a booth and made company T-shirts with logos they designed. They even brought a sales gimmick—students

dressed in body builder suits for photo ops with po-tential clients. The team was proud to meet their sales goals at the event, while getting to see what teams from other schools around the nation and the world were doing. “Next Step Fitness was very successful that day,” said Kailah Williams.

In addition, Madeleine Sanchez represented Hemp-stead at the Virtual Enterprises Global Business Chal-lenge in Manhattan, joining students from all over the world to take part in a marketing challenge. They were given a case study in advance—how to market Sony’s PlayStation 4—and worked together in teams to create a sales pitch and marketing plan during the competition.

Virtual Enterprises is based on “discovery learning,” where students ask questions and take part in problem solving to come up with their own solutions. “I try to

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Steven also appreciated the opportunity to take part in Princeton Review, a program that helps prepare students for success on the SAT college entrance exam. Providing Princeton Review free of charge has been a recent initiative by Principal Stephen Strachan. “I couldn’t have imagined taking it, because of the cost, without Dr. Strachan paying for it,” Steven said. “I think my opportunities would have been much more limited without that program.”

Although his advice to other students is beyond the scope of this article, Steven recommends finding out about the college process ear-ly—for instance, what colleges look for in students, and the im-portance of extracurricular ac-tivities to college applications. “Educate yourself about exactly what college entails—the cost, the importance of doing well in school to get scholarships, and other implications,” he said.

Pablo Correa, SalutatorianGraduating second in the

Class of 2016 is Pablo Correa, who is headed to Dartmouth College this fall. “I felt at home there,” he said of his college choice, after falling in love with the campus.

...continued from page 1

Pablo has tentative plans to major in chemistry, or another subject on the pre-med track. He aims to study medicine because of a number of experiences in his life—including the fact that he was ill often as a child, and spent a lot of time in doctors’ offices and emergency rooms.

Then in 10th grade his interest in medicine ex-ploded. Dr. Ogogo took note, and recommended that he enroll in Hofstra University’s Medical Scholars Pipeline Program. “I loved the program,” Pablo said, “and it reaffirmed that I want to do medicine.”

Pablo took two classes with Dr. Ogogo at Hempstead—Regents Chemistry and AP Chem-istry. “The Advanced Placement course really helped me to learn how a college course works, because he taught it like a chemistry course at a college,” he said.

Pablo’s extracurricular activities at Hemp-stead included serving as vice president of the Class of 2016, playing badminton, and found-ing a club called Future Doctors of America.

“Focusing on the end goal is something that’s very important,” Pablo advises other students. “Lots of times things seem like too much to handle, but if you just keep your

mind on what you are working toward, you can ac-complish anything.”

Pablo will be the first in his family to go to college.

Top Grads Head to the Ivy League

inspire critical thinking by asking questions—that’s my role,” said Mrs. Ortmann, who was the head of human resources at Coca Cola Long Island before becoming a teacher at Hempstead more than a decade ago.

The program works because it simulates a real business, even giving students real-world problems to deal with—such as an employee who doesn’t show up for work. “What better training can a student have?” Mrs. Ortmann asked. “It’s the epitome of discovery learning because you are asking questions and then deriving your own answers. You learn how to run a

business by running a business virtually.”“It is rewarding to see all the obstacles you have

overcome, and your progress,” said Lucy Acosta. “I, personally, would do it all over again if I could.”

As a bonus, there are many academic opportuni-ties for Virtual Enterprises students—from summer classes at colleges to scholarship offers. In fact, two students were invited to apply to the honors program at Mercy College after attending a training there.

“At the end of the day they can see that they really can do it,” Mrs. Ortmann said. “When they look at where they were in September, and where they are in June, they can measure the success themselves.”

Future Business Owners...continued from page 4

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Getting on Track, Getting AheadTiger Academy for All

It’s happened to the best of us—sometimes we just fall behind, or need extra help. That’s why Tiger Acad-emy is offered after school and in the evenings at Hemp-stead High School. Tiger Academy gives students a chance to catch up on missed credits, study for the Re-gents exams, or take classes in an alternative setting.

“It’s almost like college,” said guidance counselor Latisa Graham, who works at Tiger Academy two days a week. “They converse with their counselor and ask for the courses they need. The students, in turn, are comfort-able with attending Tiger Academy, because they have played a key role in selecting their own specific classes.”

Night school is not new to Hempstead, but in the past it was more focused on credit recovery. “If you failed a class you would come to night school,” said Ms. Gra-ham. “The approach Dr. Strachan is taking now is more inclusive of the needs of all students.”

Credit RecoveryStudents can still retake failed classes at Tiger

Academy. This semester, English and social studies are offered on Tuesday/Thursday, math and science on Monday/Wednesday, and gym and health on Fri-day. Older students and students who have life issues preventing them from taking day classes are welcome.

“It is an alternative approach,” said Ms. Graham. “Classes are held in a round table session, without pres-sure of things having to be accomplished. We also give students a snack. It’s more of a relaxed approach.”

Regents PrepWhat’s new at Tiger Academy this year is that stu-

dents who already passed their courses can also attend in order to study for the Regents exams. They review past materials while practicing test-tak-ing skills like how to analyze questions, and use the process of elimination to pick the best answer.

Academics & English

Tiger Academy also helps students who are struggling in their classes. “Here everyone can really benefit from getting some academic support,” Ms. Graham said. Many students who are learning English as a second language have found the Tiger Academy classes help-ful in learning English, while getting help in the core subjects. Students in need of social support can also get help from the school social worker.

Success in an Alternative SettingClass size is smaller at Tiger Academy, so teachers

can give more attention to each student. “Sometimes they feel more comfortable asking questions in a small group,” Ms. Graham said. “We see the students who were unsuccessful at day school really come alive at night school because of the way we approach them in an alternative setting,” she added.

Take Ownership Still, it doesn’t mean students should slack off in

day school. “A lot of kids think they’ll go to summer school or retake classes, that it’s not a big deal,” Ms. Graham said. “That’s not the best approach to high school.” Students need to put time into studying, and manage their time appropriately to get good grades.

“We need to get students out of the mindset that ...continued on page 7

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barely passing is okay,” she said. “We have to help teenagers become a little more assertive, and take ownership of their education.”

JROTC Leadership Program Returns

The JROTC program returned to Hempstead in full force this year, with approximately 400 students taking part. JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Of-ficer Training Corps and is the largest youth develop-ment program of the U.S. Department of Defense. It is taught as a full-credit course at Hempstead High School. Students learn teamwork, leadership, citizen-ship, physical fitness, and lessons from health, fitness, and geography to first aid. On Wednesdays, they wear their JROTC uniforms. Those who show strong lead-ership skills are selected for leadership positions.

Hempstead student Nicole Tapia serves as Cadet Bat-talion Commander. She is responsible for all 400 cadets, making sure they come in the right uniform, and do well in their classes. If they need tutoring, she makes sure they get a student tutor from the JROTC program.

“It makes them better citizens,” said First Ser-geant Kenneth Woods, the Senior Army Instructor in charge. “They gain leadership and physical fitness skills. I myself was a product of JROTC, so I know the benefits of this program.”

Other student leaders include Cadet Battalion Ex-ecutive Officer Ariany Cruz, S-1 Amanda Adorno, S-2 Esther Adewumni, S-3 Carina Taura, S-5 Nathaniel

Cruz, First Sergeant Brayham Colocho, and Company Commander Jocelyn Garcia.

“We have a lot of success stories,” Woods said. “It is very difficult for students to lead others. These students stood out and were selected for leadership positions.”

“I have gained more confidence since I’ve been in the program,” Cadet Captain Taura said. “I am men-tally and physically stronger. My instructor has taught me how to be vision-centric and helped me develop into a true leader.”

Staff Sergeant Washington, also a Hempstead stu-dent, explained how he thought he was “a lost cause” when he started JROTC in September. “My first day in First Sergeant Woods’ class I walked in as I would in any other class—headphones in, pants sagging all the way. He kicked me out that day. Right then and there I knew that he was going to be a role model,” he said. “First Sergeant Woods taught me a lot that I didn’t know. He taught me to look at all my options. He opened my mind to new opportunities.”

JROTC is taught by Woods and Sergeant First Class Kent Kingston. “We’re both happy to be here,” Woods said. “And we are looking forward to making Hemp-stead one of the best JROTC programs in the nation.”

Getting on Track ...from page 6“That’s what we give in night school—the opportu-

nity for students to become confident, and to advocate for themselves,” Ms. Graham added. “They feel really good and have pride in themselves when they meet their goals.”

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A Shout Out to

Hempstead Athletics

Hempstead students continue to soar—not only in the classrooms, but also on the fields, track, and the courts. This year, students and coaches have made Hempstead proud. Although the entire athletic season is not over, here are some of the accomplishments so far:

• The boys’ varsity football team won more games in 2015 than the last four years put together, and barely missed the playoffs. It was named Nassau County’s Most Improved Team.

• The boys’ varsity basketball team made the playoffs for the first time in several years, and was recognized by the Mayor’s office as Most Improved Team.

• The boys’ and girls’ track teams brought home a number of All-Coun-ty championships.

• The girls’ varsity basketball team traveled to Washington D.C. to com-pete in an annual tournament.

• Both the girls’ bowling team and the badminton team had a number of wins. Big thanks to Coach Lopez for working hard to turn these programs around.

To compete in high school athlet-ics, all students must maintain a minimum grade point average at or above 2.0, have good standing in their academic classes, and exhibit appropriate behavior in and out of school. Continue to support your school teams, as they represent us all over the county and state!

Athletic ScholarshipAfter racking up wins around the state, Niasia Harding was named Nassau County Sprinter of the Year. She also signed a full scholarship—totaling more than $100,000 in value—to attend the University of the District of Columbia this fall.

Sports photos on this page by Mike Higgins.

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Name: Danielle GolubFrom: Babylon, New YorkSubjects: Math & ENLWhy? I always had a passion for math, and I enjoy helping students who were not exposed to English at home to master academic language.What do you like best about teaching? Reaching students who have different ways of learning, and seeing the spark in their eyes when they grasp a new conceptFavorite activity: Beach volleyball and readingMusic interest: Madonna and PinkFavorite foods: PizzaAdvice for students: Never be afraid to follow your dreams.

Name: Christopher ClaroFrom: Brooklyn & QueensSubject: ELAWhy? I’m passionate about crafting words and making them sing. I also love to read and write nonfiction.What do you like best about teaching? I enjoy being able to share ideas and spark creativity and the classroom is the perfect place to do that. Favorite activity: Cooking, reading, and watching movies Music interest: The Beatles Favorite foods: My mom’s stuffed shellsAdvice for students: The good, the bad, and the otherwise: it’s all worth it. Let your experiences inform your creativity and you’ll never stop learning. And look both ways when crossing the street.

Name: Claudia P. DiazFrom: Hempstead, New YorkSubjects: Bilingual Science: Living Environment & Env. ScienceWhy? I feel if you understand the study of life (plants, animals, micro-organisms) then you can begin to understand yourself.What do you like best about teaching? I love seeing my students teach each other.Favorite activity: I enjoy taking my three children to the park.Music interest: Salsa, Grupo NicheFavorite foods: Rice and beansAdvice for students: Find your vision and never stop being the best at what you were born to do.

Name: Kathleen KoehlerFrom: HolbrookSubjects: English & Special Education Why? English has always been my favorite subject, and I enjoy Gothic Literature especially.What do you like best about teaching? I love to inspire a struggling reader, to see a student find literature that they enjoy despite their prior experience.Favorite activity: Bike riding and spending time with my familyFavorite food: Pork chopsAdvice for students: Never give up.

Name: Daniela OrihuelaFrom: PeruSubject: ENLWhy? I love teaching languages and I know how important learning Eng-lish in this country is to be successful.What do you like best about teaching? I like making something boring to learn—like grammar and phonics—into something fun. Favorite activity: Dance workoutsMusic interest: PitbullFavorite food: Lomo saltadoAdvice for students: Always remain persistent and you will get far in life.

Name: Diane LizzolFrom: Brooklyn, New York Subjects: ENL, English, Special Education & SpanishWhy? I want to inspire my students to build relationships with people who are different than them by speaking new languages.What do you like best about teaching? I enjoy my students more than anything.Favorite activity: Walks at the beach, park, city streets, and department storesMusic interest: Andrea BocelliFavorite foods: Ice cream and chocolateAdvice for students: You are your own best teacher. If you can read, you can learn anything!

Welcome, New Teachers!

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Una vez más me alegra compar-tir nuestros progresos con ustedes. Los estudiantes siguen aprobando sus materias, y 650 estudiantes merecieron el cuadro de honor este trimestre. Estamos orgullosos de todos los estudiantes que trabajan con esfuerzo para alcanzar sus metas académicas.

Dado que estamos en el pro-grama “Receivership” del estado de New York, estamos obligados a demostrar que mejoramos en seguridad dentro de la escuela, en porcentajes de cursos que aprueban los estudiantes, y en el programa de estudios. Me complace informarles que estamos mejorando en todas esas áreas. Los profesores están trabajando con las familias para informarles acerca de la evolución de sus hijos e hijas y sobre cómo pueden mejorar.

Pronto llegará la fecha de nuestros exámenes “Regents.” Estos miden los progresos de los estudiantes y les dan la oportunidad de alcanzar los requisitos para poder gradu-arse. Los exámenes comienzan el 14 de junio. Enviaremos información adicional a la casa.

También hemos mejorado el acceso de nuestros estudiantes a la tecnología educativa. Las computadoras que hay en la biblioteca han sido actualizadas y mejoradas. Los profesores recibirán nuevas laptops y entrenamiento en tecnologías. El departamento de matemáticas recibió alrededor de 600 nue-vas calculadoras TI-84 para ser usadas por los estudiantes.

El 24 y 25 de mayo, representantes del departamento de educación de Nueva York realizarán una inspección de la escuela. Gracias por el apoyo que nos han brindado en la preparación para esta visita. Si desean mayor información sobre cómo pueden ayudar, por favor comuníquense con

la escuela.Una vez más,

gracias por la opor-tunidad de compartir nuestras buenas noticias con ustedes. Espero que disfruten de esta edición de Las Rayas del Tigre, producida por la administración de Hempstead High School.

Visiten la clase de “Virtual Enterprises” (emprendimien-tos virtuales) de Patricia Ortmann y verán estudiantes haci-endo nóminas de personal, llenando formularios impositi-vos, o recibirando cheques como pago de sus salarios. Los cheques no son reales, sino que forman parte de un curso en el cual los estudiantes aprenden a iniciar y administrar sus propios emprendimientos.

En Marzo, ellos iniciaron un emprendimiento virtual que inventaron: Next Step Fitness. “Construyen para usted un gimnasio en las instalaciones de su empresa, y se lo administran,” explicó la Sra. Ortmann. Se conducen como si fuera un emprendimiento real, realizando investigación y desarrollo, creando un manual del empleado y un pro-grama de ventas, y generando la página web de la compa-ñía: http://nextstep115509.wix.com/nextstepfitness.

Virtual Enterprises es nuevo en Hempstead este año. Los estudiantes obtienen créditos académicos de escuela secundaria y universitario, lo cual es brindado por Farm-ingdale State College.

El evento culminante fue una feria comercial en Nueva York. Para prepararse, los estudiantes construyeron un puesto de ventas, y fabricaron playeras empresarias. Su equipo alcanzó las metas de ventas en la feria comercial, al mismo tiempo que podían observar lo que hacían equipos de otras escuelas de todo el mundo.

Además, Madeleine Sanchez participó en el desafío em-presarial global en Manhattan, donde estudiantes de todo el mundo trabajaron juntos para crear una estrategia de ventas y un plan de comercialización para la PlayStation 4 de Sony.

El curso de emprendimientos virtuales es una simulación del mundo empresarial real, incluyendo desafíos tales como el de un empleado que falta a su trabajo. “¿Qué me-jor entrenamiento puede tener un estudiante?” pregunta la Sra Ortmann. “Se aprende a conducir un emprendimiento, conduciendo un emprendimiento en forma virtual.”

“Causa gran satisfacción ver todos los obstáculos que uno ha superado, y ver también el propio progreso,” dice Lucy Acosta. “Lo haría todo de nuevo, si pudiera.”

Mensaje del Director

Futuros EmprendedoresDr. Stephen Strachan,

Director

N O T I C I A S E N E S P A Ñ O L

Vestidos para Triunfar: Hemos implementado un código de vestimenta para mantener el foco sobre las actividades académicas y promocionar un sentimiento de unidad en HHS.

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N O T I C I A S E N E S P A Ñ O L

‘Tiger Academy’ es una academia que se ofrece en horarios nocturnos. Brinda a los estudiantes la oportunidad de recuperar créditos perdidos, estudiar para los exámenes Regents, y practicar Inglés.

La escuela nocturna no es algo nuevo, pero en el pasado, se colocaba el foco en la recuperación de créditos. “El enfoque que el Dr. Strachan está implementando ahora es más inclu-sivo con respecto a las necesidades de todos los estudiantes,” dice la conse-jera Latisa Graham. “Es casi como si fuera una universidad. Dialogan con su consejera y solicitan los cursos que necesitan.”

En Tiger Academy, los estudiantes pueden tomar de nuevo materias reprobadas. Pero también, los que ya aprobaron un curso pueden asistir para estudiar para los exámenes Regents.

Muchos estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés como segundo idioma han encontrado que las clases en Tiger

‘Tiger Academy’ para Todos

El programa JROTC volvió a Hempstead este año, con la participación de aproximadamente 400 estudiantes.

JROTC es un programa juvenil de entrenamiento para oficiales de la reserva de los Estados Unidos, que se enfoca en el desarrollo de los jóvenes. Hempstead lo ofrece en forma de un curso con créditos plenos.

Los estudiantes aprenden trabajo en equipo, liderazgo, ciudadanía, destreza física y materias que van desde el cui-dado de la salud, el estado físico, y geografía hasta incluso primeros auxilios. Los miércoles, los participantes usan sus uniformes JROTC. Aquellos son seleccionados para ocupar posiciones de liderazgo.

La estudiante Nicole Tapia se desempeña como Co-mandante del Batallón de Cadetes. Ella es responsable por los 400 cadetes, y debe verificar que concurran con el uniforme reglamentario, y que se desempeñen bien en las clases. Si necesitan tutoría, ella los ayuda a conseguir un estudiante tutor del programa JROTC.

“Adquieren destrezas de liderazgo y de estado físico,” dice el Sargento Primero Kenneth Woods, Instructor Senior del Ejército a cargo. “Yo fui un producto del JROTC, así que conozco los beneficios de este programa.”

Otros estudiantes líderes son Ariany Cruz, Amanda Adorno, Esther Adewumni, Carina Taura, Nathaniel Cruz,

Vuelve el JROTC

Academy ayudan para aprender Inglés y también para estudiar otras materias de la escuela.

Los grupos en cada clase de Tiger Academy son reduci-dos, de manera que los profesores pueden brindar mayor atención a cada estudiante. “Vemos cómo cobran vitalidad en la escuela nocturna estudiantes que tenían dificultades en las clases que se dictan en el horario diurno,” dice la

Sra. Graham.Al mismo tiempo, esto no significa

que los estudiantes deban traba-jar menos en la escuela durante el horario diurno. Deben dedicar tiem-po al estudio y administrar su tiempo adecuadamente como para obtener buenas calificaciones. “Necesita-mos que los estudiantes cambien la mentalidad de que aprobar con la

nota mínima está bien,” dice la Sra. Graham. “Se sienten realmente bien y están orgullosos de sí mismos cuando alcanzan sus metas.”

Brayham Colocho, y Jocelyn Garcia. “Tenemos muchas historias de logros exitosos,” dice Wood. “Para los estudi-antes es difícil liderar a otros. Estos estudiantes se destaca-ron y fueron seleccionados para posiciones de liderazgo.”

“He adquirido más confianza desde que estoy en el programa” dice el Cadete Capitán Taura. “Mi instructor me ayudó a convertirme en una verdadera líder.”

JROTC es enseñado por el Sargento de Primera Clase Kent Kingston y Wood. “Ambos estamos felices de estar aquí,” dice Wood. “Nuestro objetivo es hacer que el de HHS sea uno de los mejores programas JROTC del país.”

Bienvenidos ProfesoresHempstead High les da la bien-venida a los nuevos profesores este año, muchos de ellos ense-ñan inglés como lengua extran-jera. Ver fotos en página 9.

Buenas Noticias desde Hempstead High Primavera 2016

Las

Rayas del Tigre

Los estudiantes que se graduaron con el primer y el se-gundo mejor promedio en la Clase de 2016 tienen grandes planes por delante—y algunas cosas en común también.

Ambos asistirán a universidades de alto nivel; ambos se inclinan por carreras científicas; y ambos dicen que su profesor de Química, el Dr. Emmanuel Ogogo, los inspiró.

Steven NinoEl estudiante que se graduó con

el mejor promedio de la clase es Steven Nino, quien ha sido admitido en Princeton Univer-sity y piensa estudiar ingeniería

química o informática. Este verano realizará una pasantía en una empresa de robótica.

Steven afirma que el Dr. Ogogo ha sido un gran ejemplo a seguir. “Muchos chicos lo admiran porque es una perso-na muy exitosa, y sólo llegó a esa posición porque realizó duros esfuerzos,” dijo Steven.

En Hempstead, Steven valoró el Princeton Review, un pro-grama que prepara a los estudiantes para que puedan rendir exitosamente los exámenes SAT de ingreso universitario. Se ofrece gratuitamente como parte de una iniciativa del Direc-tor, Stephen Strachan. “Creo que mis oportunidades hubieran sido mucho más limitadas sin ese programa,” dijo Steven.

Su consejo para otros estudiantes es que se informen acerca de lo que implica la univer-sidad—el costo y la importancia de tener un buen rendimiento aca-démico para poder obtener becas.

Pablo CorreaEl estudiante que se graduó con

el segundo mejor promedio de la clase es Pablo Correa, quien ingresa en Dartmouth University con la meta de estudiar medicina.

Graduados Destacados Ingresan a Universidades de Alto Nivel

Su vocación comenzó cuando era un niño porque se enfermaba con frecuencia y estuvo muchas veces en salas de emergencias. Cuando estaba en 10º grado, el Dr. Ogogo le sugirió que se inscribiera en el programa de becarios médicos de Hofstra University, y fue un programa que le encantó.

Pablo fue alumno del Dr. Ogogo en dos cursos de Quími-ca. Dijo que el curso de nivel avanzado (AP) “realmente me ayudó a comprender cómo funciona un curso de química en una universidad.”

“Es muy importante focalizarse en la meta final,” acon-seja Pablo. “Muchas veces parece que todo fuera demasi-ado como para poder abarcarlo, pero si uno mantiene sus pensamientos sobre aquello por lo cual está trabajando, se puede lograr lo que sea.” Pablo será el primer de su familia que va a una universidad.

El Dr. Emmanuel Ogogo fue un ejemplo a seguir.

Los estudiantes de Hempstead se están desempeñando bien en deportes y atletismo. El equipo de fútbol Americano ganó más partidos en 2015 que en los últimos cuatro años sumados, quedando por muy pocos puntos fuera de las eliminato-rias, y fue reconocido por el condado de Nassau. El equipo de básquetbol de varones llegó a las eliminatorias y fue reconocido por el alcalde. Los equipos de atletismo de varones y mujeres ganaron una cantidad de torneos a nivel del condado. La corredora Niasia Harding ganó una beca universitaria completa. El equipo femenino de básquetbol compitió en un torneo anual en Washington, D.C. El equipo femenino de bowling y el equipo de bádminton obtuvieron victorias bajo la dirección de la entrenadora Lopez. Para competir en deportes, los estudiantes deben mantener un mínimo de promedio de calificaciones de 2.0, tener buen concepto en sus clases académicas y mantener conducta apropiada dentro de la escuela y fuera de ella.

Deportes en Hempstead